TheBackShed.com

Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : Merry Christmas Got one new Toys for Breakfast

Author

Message

Rickard5

Guru

Joined: 31/03/2022
Location: United States
Posts: 463

Posted: 04:18am 24 Jul 2023

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

This morning I got an Early-30 Call informing me I had 7:30 Breakfast engagement / meeting. During Pre-Coffee one of my University Buddies handed me some Kickstarter Toys :) and the 2 interesting ones are the UDOO Keys and the Seeedstudio Grove Starter kit for the Pico

UDOO Key was a real interesting Kickstarter 18-20 months ago, the Kickstarter was a $4 Pico , Kinda glued to an esp 32, and at the time for $4 that. was a heck of a Bargain then they got delayed for one reason or another. I think the Reason the backed the Kickstarter is I think I remember there being something Ya'all were using the ESP and Picomite Together? anyone have any Info on that ?

And the Seeed Studios Grove Starter kit is Close to What I've wanted all along where there is a Breakout board with both female pins and Standard JST Connectors for each I/O, and maybe a connection for a LiPO Battery

And then Drivers, Sensors Displays ECT.. mounted on carrier boards with all the support circuitry, so that it's like an Erector Set with Everything connected with Premade JST Cables, less prone to getting tangled and way neater

on the SeeedStudio kit I've already loaded the picomite firmware and messed with some basic stuff like making LED's go on and off and Clicking a Relay

I may be Vulgar, but , while I'm poor, I'm Industrious, Honest, and trustworthy! I Know my Place

Mixtel90

Guru

Joined: 05/10/2019
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 6798

Posted: 06:56am 24 Jul 2023

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

The connector on the end of the Pico is the Debug header, not for a Lipo.
The 6-pin connector is for SPI so you could put a (non-touch) SPI display on that.

Incidentally, Grove doesn't use JST connectors even though they look similar. They will not physically connect using any JST parts. I looked into this some time ago with the idea of making something similar to this kit for the PicoMite but gave up when the Grove components couldn't be used because of such a silly Chinese connector. :)
.
Edited 2023-07-24 18:36 by Mixtel90

Mick

Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini
Preliminary MMBasic docs & my PCB designs

lizby
Guru

Joined: 17/05/2016
Location: United States
Posts: 3150

Posted: 11:20am 24 Jul 2023

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

Rickard5 said I think the Reason the backed the Kickstarter is I think I remember there being something Ya'all were using the ESP and Picomite Together? anyone have any Info on that ?

Well, there's this -- Picomite and ESP-01 -- but with MMBasic so well integrated into the WebMite, why bother--much pain for little gain.

PicoMite, Armmite F4, SensorKits, MMBasic Hardware, Games, etc. on fruitoftheshed

Rickard5

Guru

Joined: 31/03/2022
Location: United States
Posts: 463

Posted: 04:48pm 24 Jul 2023

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

Mixtel90 said I looked into this some time ago with the idea of making something similar to this kit for the PicoMite but gave up when the Grove components couldn't be used because of such a silly Chinese connector. :)
.

Mick I'm only using the Grove system as an inspiration and Research Tool. I Do Love the concept that I can Place sensors anywhere and cable it back to Picomite with a single cable. I also Like the Idea of like the Picomite VGA on aa robot only Plugging in the SD Card device or the VGA and KB interface when I need it on a robot like a docking station!

Grove components can't be used because of such a silly Chinese connector.
GREAT YEE HAW I wouldn't want to Physically be able to confuse those Over Priced , Don't get me wrong I love that system idea, but Grove is Expensive for the add on parts! but as I learn to use a PCB Designer I hope to build an Erector set like this I can put together in a Kit and take camping <3

I may be Vulgar, but , while I'm poor, I'm Industrious, Honest, and trustworthy! I Know my Place

Mixtel90

Guru

Joined: 05/10/2019
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 6798

Posted: 05:51pm 24 Jul 2023

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

I could get the Grove connectors now, they've become available. I just can't be bothered. :) It's only I2C. The main problem is the cables. They come in set lengths and, unless you shell out for a crimping tool etc. it's a faff making custom lengths.

Mick

Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini
Preliminary MMBasic docs & my PCB designs

al18
Senior Member

Joined: 06/07/2019
Location: United States
Posts: 205

Posted: 06:24am 25 Jul 2023

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

Both Adafruit and Sparkfun have Grove to StemmaQT/Qwiic cables for about $2 each, and StemmaQT/Qwiic cables in lengths up to 400/500 mm for $2 each.

Print this page

To reply to this topic, you need to log in.